Analyst: Former Nokia CEO Jorma Ollila To Join Microsoft’s Board

While we generally do not put too much faith in analyst reports, sometimes they are amusing. A new report by a Finnish financial analyst believes that former Nokia CEO Jorma Ollila could join Microsoft’s board.

“Ollila is, for all his strengths and weaknesses, a pioneer,” Jukka Oksaharju, of Nordic savings bank Nordnet, said.

“Joining Microsoft’s board wouldn’t be a surprise in itself, but it would be the crowning achievement of Nokia’s sale and Ollila’s career,” Oksaharju said.

“Who would have more experience in global telecommunication business? The entire industry was created during his reign.”

Currently Ollila sits on the board of many companies including Ford. Given Ollila’s financial background he certainly would fit in with many other members of the board. One theory is that if Alan Mulally becomes Microsoft’s next CEO he could bring over Ollila to Microsoft’s board room. We know that Ollila certainly gets along with Ballmer and was intstrumental in selling a large part of Nokia to Microsoft. We also recently reported that the current Microsoft board has recommended Ballmer and Gates to both be re-elected to the board.

For the time being, there is no definitive evidence to say the Ollila will be joining Microsoft’s board. We will likely know more about the future make-up of Microsoft’s board after a new CEO is chosen and publically announced.

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Suril is a scientist, journalist and obsessive Microsoft observer. He holds an advanced degree in Biotechnology with minors in Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology.
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We hear some people talking about how Ballmer was fired and he didn’t retire. This article has one important clue (among with others) that was a rumor made up by fanboys.

“the current Microsoft board has recommended Ballmer and Gates to both be re-elected to the board.”
If you are fired, you are fired. They don’t let you stick around for a while, they just can you, let somebody else take your place until a new CEO is found. If the board fired Ballmer (the board is the only people who can do so) they would definately not recommend for someone to stay. In other words, they would not fire you, ask you to stay around, and then try to keep you on the board.

Guest

We know for a fact he wasn’t fired. But he left earlier than originally planned and I think it’s obvious to most that he was forced out prematurely. I don’t think it was the board per se. In all likelihood he/MS was presented with two choices: retire or subject the company to a proxy battle led by activist investors. For him, that wouldn’t really be a choice. Faults aside, he always puts the company first. And it would be much of a choice for the board either. A proxy battle is too dangerous and potentially disruptive.

As far as them continuing to recommending him for reelection, even if they were in favor of him leaving for reasons beyond avoiding a proxy battle (which we don’t know), his knowledge and experience is of tremendous value. Also, he’s the 2nd largest individual shareholder today and will the #1 in another year or two. So, it wouldn’t be wise to try and kick him off the board.

SategB

I have not heard anyone say Ballmer was fired. The accept view of those who have insight in the company was he was told to step down otherwise things was going to get ugly fast.

Ballmer being the good company man did what he was asked and quite frankly what was best for the company.

For us who want MSFT to have relevancy in the years to come, let’s hope it is not to late.

nohone

There are a number of people that comment here that say he was fired. Including you. Here is a quote from you from a week ago:

“Ballmer was wrong and this is why he getting kick out”
Asking somebody to leave is not being, as you put it, “kicked out.”
You have no desire for Microsoft to be relevant in the years to come. You are a die hard Microsoft hater, and we all know it. Continously talking about how wonderful Apple is (even though you ignore their abysmal failures) while ignoring the successes of Microsoft. We don’t buy your little play about how you just want Microsoft to succeed.

SategB

He was kicked out! He even said he wanted to stay longer but he was not fired- a player can get kicked out of a game but it does not mean he is fired
Just because I can intelligently understand the challenges facing the company, realistically see the mistakes they have made, and wisely prescribe a path to get real value out of the company only mean I care more then an idiot fanboy wants to cheerlead 10 years of poor MSFT management that had threaten the company!

Guest

“and wisely prescribe a path to get real value out of the company”

When can we look forward to seeing you do this part?

Yuan Taizong

It is not too late, Microsoft is still a major player today, the #3 in online services (people often ignore this, but Outlook.com, Microsoft SkyDrive, Etc. are in slightly charge behind Google and both far behind on the Facebook), and Microsoft is still the sole ruler of most P.C. form-factors other than Smartphones and Tablet-P.C.’s, that is hardly irrelevant, Steve Ballmer helped fortify this position, and Microsoft Office is actually the most feature-rich and useful of all software suites, others have tried (OppenOffice, Google Docs, Libre Office, iWork, Etc.) but none have ever came close, Microsoft is still relevant, it doesn’t matter how much Apple- AND Linux-fanboys will claim, most of them still use Microsoft products and services.